Rome was once the largest, wealthiest, most powerful city in the Western world. It’s no wonder that today Rome is packed with countless historical landmarks, museums and over 900 churches.
While I loved the history and culture of Rome, I will admit that the city takes some getting used to. Rome is loud, dirty and seems to be bursting at the seams with the mass of people living in and visiting the ancient city.
I needed a lot of downtime to adjust to the hustle and bustle. We would venture out to see the fascinating historical sights then pull back to decompress in a quiet quieter spot like a small piazza, park or even back at our apartment. I think I needed the breaks just as much as the kids did on this trip!
If you’re planning to visit the highly popular capital of Italy, I’ve put together a list of 15 things you should know before visiting.
Things To Know Before Visiting Rome:
Rooftops of Rome
1. Kids under the age of 10 ride the metro for FREE. If you’re traveling with children, you don’t need to pay for them to use public transportation! This can add up to a nice savings when traveling with children.
2. Speaking of public transport, you need to purchase tickets prior to boarding. Purchase from the tabacchi (tobacco shop), select supermarkets or kiosks at the metro and train stations. We purchased tickets at the same time we grabbed an Italian SIM card. You can’t purchase tickets while on the bus or metro.
Since tickets aren’t considered in use until validated, you can purchase tickets in advance, then validate them (in the yellow machines) when you need to use the transportation. Tickets are valid for 75 minutes, so you can change buses within that time frame. You can also use the same ticket for the metro and bus.
Take a look at the ATAC website for more purchasing locations.
Taxi’s can be expensive, but the City of Rome has set rates for visitors traveling from the airport. You can see all the rates on the Aeroporti di Roma website. You should expect to pay 48€ to get to the center of Rome or within the Aurelian walls from FCO. The nice thing about the set taxi rate is the price includes luggage and up to four passengers. As always with set fares, make sure the taxi driver knows you are aware of the fare rate before jumping in the cab. Even though it’s illegal to charge more, you don’t want to get scammed. There are also fake taxi’s that pray on unsuspecting tourists. You should look for white taxi’s with the taxi sign on top, an ID# and meter, before jumping in.
Plan your transportation from the airport to your hotel prior to arrival. Ensure you take into account added costs such as taxi fare from one of the train stops to your hotel or the Metro fare for one of the legs. Factor in these costs and the amount of luggage you’ll be hauling before leaving home.
Have cash on hand to cover these costs! You can hit the ATM while inside the airport.
4. Don’t get caught without a bottle of water. Water peddled to tourists is ridiculously expensive. You can pay between 1.50€ – 2€ for the equivalent of a 12 oz bottle of water from a street vendor! The same bottle of water will cost you 1€ at a corner store. Better yet, head to a grocery store and pay just 0.19€ for a 1.5L bottle! There are also fountains throughout the city with potable water from which you can fill a reusable bottle while visiting the sites. Just avoid aqua non-potabile or non-potable water.
5. Do not, I repeat, Do not take a rose from anyone on the street. Even a cute child. Do not allow them to slip it in your purse or pocket. Do not pick it up if they drop it in front of you. Firmly say “no” and continue walking. They will try to charge you for the flower even if they tricked you into accepting it.
A firm “no” also works for the pesky salesman congregating around the main attractions trying to unload their selfie sticks and umbrellas. Just keep repeating “no” to each one as you pass. They will surround you, so just be firm and keep moving.
St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City
6. You pay for table service in Italy. If you’re visiting Italy for the first time, you may be surprised to learn that you will pay a coperto for sitting down at the table to eat. It’s just the way it is.
The coperto rate is more in touristy areas, but the average is 1.50€ per person. If you want to avoid a coperto, stand at the counter to drink your café or grab a pizza to go.
You may also find a servizio charge listed as a percent of your bill which is usually 10-20%. This is a service charge to the wait staff. We didn’t see this often in Italy except at restaurants along the tourist tracks.
The price of the coperto and servizio will be listed in tiny print at the top, bottom or on the back of the menu. Make sure you take a look at this fee before sitting down. You may also see signs that state servizio e coperto incluso or service and cover included, so you’ll know there won’t be additional charges after your meal. Lastly, keep an eye out for a pane or bread charge. Usually if the waiter brings bread out to you automatically, they aren’t charging extra or it’s already included with the coperto. Sometimes stated as pane e coperto on the menu.
While I’ve read it’s now illegal to charge the coperto in the Lazio Region (Rome), it’s still at pretty much every restaurant.
7. Don’t be afraid to speak up if your bill is wrong. Always get an itemized receipt when paying for your meal and read it carefully. Know what you are being charged for. We were in Siena recently and I ordered the plate of the day. It came with an entree, wine, water and coffee for a set price. I received the bill and was charged for my water and the coffee. It may have only been a few euros, but I had them take it off.
While you will generally have a good experience eating in Rome, there are thousands of tourists that descend on the city daily. It’s easy to see why some places seek to take advantage. Overall, you should have a lovely dining experience if you avoid the “hot” spots. Just keep these little extra’s in mind.
8. Tipping is not mandatory or expected in Europe as it is in the US. Italian waitstaff are paid a respectable wage including benefits. If Italians leave a tip, it’s a few euros or rounding up of the bill. A 5 – 10% tip from an American is more than enough for great service or if you’re child made a particularly large mess. Do NOT tip on top of a servizio and remember that a tip is not required. I usually tip around 5% for good service. Even that is still hard on my American programmed brain.
9. Another ordering tip. If you order an appetizer, you will likely be asked if you want it “for three” (or however many are in your party) or “for the table.” They are asking you if you want an appetizer for each person. Like many American’s, we will order one appetizer to share before our meal. If you order “for the table” you will end up with the 4€ bruschetta being brought out to each person at the table. If there are four in your party, that inexpensive appetizer will now cost you 16€ when the bill comes out. OUCH! Specify that you want one or the “antipasto for two” even if there are 3 or 5 of you at the table.
View of the Tiber river from the top of Castel Sant’Angelo
10. Choose accommodations carefully. There is no shortage of accommodations in Rome. You will find hotels, apartments and hostels to suite all budgets. The biggest challenge is finding a property in a good location. While the train, metro and bus systems are extensive, we find it much easier to stay near the center. You will pay less if you stay outside the city walls, but I always prefer the convenience of staying “in the middle of it all.”
While the most of the main sights are within a relatively small area, the actual historical center of Rome is quite large. It’s divided into several districts that all have something unique to offer visitors. When booking accommodations, don’t just rely on the fact that the hotel boasts it’s in the historical center. You need to know WHERE in the center it’s located. Look at the location in relation to the places you want to visit.
11. Pay to pee. While those who have traveled in other European countries are already aware of this fact, I thought it may be a new concept for newbies on the continent. You must pay to use public restrooms. The fee is 1€ in Rome. Children are free. Or you can just head into one of the MANY MacDonald’s locations to save your change.
12. Avoid driving in Rome, if possible. Moped drivers zip around cars without a seemingly second thought to their own safety. Horns are blaring, lanes mean nothing and no one seems to have an ounce of patience behind the wheel. We picked up our rental car at the train station to drive to Florence and I nearly had a panic attack trying to navigate through the streets. If at all possible, just don’t do it.
13. As with all major cities, pick pocketing is a real threat. Mind your belongings at all times. Don’t put your bag on the ground unattended and don’t carry large amounts of cash. Gypsies are also commonplace in Rome. Men, women and children are taught to pray on tourists. While I’ve heard stories about women throwing their babies at tourists so they drop their bags, I always thought it was an exaggeration until we spoke with the property manager of the apartment we rented during our October visit. She was giving her standard speech to us about safety in Rome and she said that these things really do happen.
Bottom line, be vigilant when you are in crowded areas and using public transportation. It’s a major city after all. You will be crammed next to strangers, so sneaking your wallet could be easier than you may think. Luckily we haven’t had an issue, but I try to be cautious while still enjoying our travels.
14. Wear comfortable shoes. While you may dream of strutting the streets in your stilettos, Rome isn’t the place for heels. The old cobblestone streets are no place to wear anything but flats. Breaking your ankle will put quite a damper on your travels.
15. Learn basic Italian phrases. You don’t have to be linguist to travel, but it’s a good idea to learn a few basic words. Greeting someone in their native language is simply a sign of respect. We’ve found that a little bit of effort goes a long way.
Buon giorno = Good morning/Good afternoon
Buona sera = Good evening
Ciao = Hello/Goodbye
Arrivederci = Goodbye
Grazie = Thank you
Prego = You’re welcome
Per favore = Please
Sì = yes
No = No
Mi scusi = Excuse me/Pardon me
Parla inglese? = Do you speak English
The above phrases are just a few basics to help you get through your trip. If you have time, learn more. Traveling is always a great time to increase your awareness of new languages and cultures.
16. Save money by purchasing the Rome & Vatican Pass before your trip.
The OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card is a sightseeing pass that gives holder free entry to top attractions in Rome and the Vatican City as well as a Fast Track Entry, a hop-on-hop-off bus tour, free guidebook and travelcard. Tailor-made for visitors to the city, tourists can save both time and money during their time in Rome.
What’s included:
- Free entry to Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel – plus a free Wi-Fi downloadable audio guide for St Peter’s Basilica
- Free entry to your choice of 2 out of 6 top Rome attractions including The Coliseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill, Capitolini Museums, Borghese Gallery and National Museum of Castel Sant’Angelo
- Fast Track Entry to St Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel & The Coliseum – save over 4 hours at each attraction during busy periods
- Free hop-on-hop-off bus tour ticket of Rome for 3 days
- Free travelcard for unlimited access to Rome’s public transport system
- Free detailed Guidebook to help plan the perfect trip
- Discounted Entry to another 30 plus sights, attractions and museums in Rome
Click here to see current prices and savings offers. Having the fast track entry will be a HUGE time saver during the busy seasons – the lines get super long.
Rome is a city unlike any other. It’s chaotic and enchanting at the same time. With a little forethought, planning and a good map, you too just might find that Rome captures your heart. And who knows, if you the throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, you may find the tale to be true and visit the city again one day.
What other things do you wish you knew before visiting Rome?
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Don’t miss our exclusive tour of Caesar’s Palace it’s a tour you don’t want to miss.
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Gypsy is a slur. Please rephrase.
I’ve read that at a lot of the religious sites you cannot show your shoulders or knees. Does this apply to the men also? Ex. they have to have shorts long enough to cover their knees? Or not wear tank tops?
Nope, but I would advise dressing respectfully and avoid thank tops for guys. We didn’t see any men wearing them.
I love the city of Rome. It is a very beautiful city in the country. Thanks for your beautiful guide. I am planning to visit that City again.
Having been to Rome several times and most recently a few weeks ago, I strongly disagree with your assessment of “dirty”. Also, may I correct your spelling of the plural of American? It’s Americans, not American’s.
It didn’t appear to be strikes when we were there, but that is a possibility.
well thank you for sharing such informative post. Rome is such a lovely place. cant wait to plan my next visit.
Having never been to Rome, I found these tips extremely useful when helping my son and his partner plan a trip. Very insightful and helpful. Thank you
Gypsy is a racist slur.
Just so that you aware, you do not really pay to pee; you will pay for the person who is cleaning the bathroom.
Yes, you are paying for the person to clean the facilities. But you can’t pee if you don’t pay 🙂
Is there a specific cite that you use to find your hotels or apartments? Or do you just look up ones within a certain area?
We typically use Airbnb and VRBO for apartment rentals. Those tend to have the widest selections. Booking.com and hotels.com are good for finding hotels. After I find the hotel on those sites, I check the hotel website to ensure they aren’t offering a better deal.
Good and important tips. I will add that the train tickets have to be deleted on the platform before entering the train. You can not enter the historic fountain – you risk a mandate of 300-500 euros. Super informations. Congratulations.
Thanks for these tips. I am sure we are going to find these helpful when traveling to Rome. You said to avoid restaurants near hotspots. Is it possible to recommend some restaurants outside this zone, preferably vegetarian.
My fashion sense is Nada. Can someone recommend some fashionable outfits?
Thanks in advance.
Sorry, I don’t have anything specific, but hopefully someone else can jump in with a recommendation. We found if we just went off the beaten path even a few streets away from the attractions, we found better meals.
I am not a fashion expert, but comfortable boots, wedges or sneakers such as converse work well. Layers work well. Fitted (dark) jeans, flowy skirts, cute sweater, and a versatile dress. The Italians tend to dress nice. Don’t go in tattered jeans, ripped t-shirt & baseball cap and you should be good 🙂
I never saw a public washroom in Rome … (granted, my cumulative 14 months in Italy was nearly all in smaller towns in Lazio, but never saw one there either). My Italian friends and family said that bars, by law, have to have available washrooms for public use and we availed ourselves of those as needed.
Yes, bars and restaurants are the way to go to save money. Around the touristy areas you will find public toilets for a fee.
Thanks for these tips. My Wife and I live in Eastern Europe and had the chance to visit Rome twice earlier this year. We were quite successful both times using Airbnb.
We love Airbnb! It’s great for saving on accommodation.
We visited Rome just two weeks ago. Yes sit down lunch and dinners are expensive but sometimes worth it after a long day of walking for hours. We paid around 60 euros for 4 of us for 2 pizzas, 2 bottles of water, 1 coke and a bottle of beer. we declined the bread.
Make sure to double check your hotel amenities before booking. We were trying to save money on a “hotel”. It was nice and clean, but not a hotel and it had no AIR! It was a steaming 95 degrees that week. We had a horrible time trying to sleep.
Thankful we had no problem with pick picketers, although I walked behind my husband to make sure his wallet was safe.
In all, Rome is another big city that is set up to take your tourist money, but that is what we are there for, right. To see one in a lifetime, bucket list sites.
Been there, done that.
Thanks for letting us know about your experience! I agree that sitting down to eat after a long day is worth it. It was great to get off our feet for awhile and have a bite to eat.
Great point on ensure the hotel had A/C. It’s not uncommon to find accommodations lacking that necessary (in my opinion) amenity. We’ve even found that hotels that state they have A/C in all the rooms, don’t have it turned on outside June-August regardless of whether it’s hot in April.
It’s definitely a bucket list city. There is so much history to miss out on it.
Great tips! I have a friend visiting Rome this Christmas with her family so I will definitely pass on this list. Love your comment about the bathrooms, I grew up in Belgium where we always had to pay to pee 🙂
What a great collection of tips! We’re headed to Rome in a few weeks and this was great info!
Have fun in Rome! I have friends that will be there for Christmas.
Great tips- We visited for our first time this past summer and I wish we would have read this. 1) I didn’t realize kids under 10 rode free, 2) I was charged at one point an exorbitant amount for a coperto and servizio charge and quickly learned to look for that charge on menus the rest of the trip and paying to pee is nuts and crazy inconvenient when traveling with 4 young kids. All things I would have avoided if I would have read an article like this prior to visiting 😉 Lessons learned.
Yes! They can really get you with the coperto and servizio charge. It’s pretty unfortunate that some of the rates are so high to pray on unsuspecting tourists. You really needed the free public transport with 4 kids!
Great tips, I wish I had known some of these things before we went to Italy several years ago. We had no choice but to drive, and I agree with you whole heartily to avoid it if you can. Make sure if you have to drive, that you have full insurance.
Good news about some of the touts, I just read recently that the “Roman Centurions” have been banned at the tourist attractions.
Great tips! I’ve never been to Rome, but we have visited northern Italy. I never realized that bit about the appetizers–good thing to clarify. That’s awesome children can ride public transportation for free, too–would definitely save a lot if you are traveling with kids. Thanks for sharing your tips!
I love exploring Northern Italy! You need to held down further south next time to stop in Rome.
I have to differ slightly. Rome is absolutely the place for heels! It’s a fashion Mecca. Just make sure you’re taking a cab … otherwise go for the comfy ones. Great tips. I’ve heard that a higher tip is expected at fancier restaurants, though. Am I wrong? (Or maybe that’s only if you’re wearing heels!)
I can agree with that. If you are going to take a cab then heels are okay. It’s definitely a fashion Mecca! I’ve been told that Italian women wear heels when they know exactly where they are going, how far they have to walk and how long they will be out.
I’ll have to ask my Italian friend about tipping more at fancy restaurants. That’s a good question. We usually eat at nicer places (if we’re not just grabbing a pizza) and didn’t tip more. I have learned that the waitstaff in more touristy areas have gotten used to Americans tipping habits, so it’s become more expected.
Having been to Rome twice, I think the list is pretty much complete and spot on. I however cannot insist enough on having a pair of good, comfortable _walking_ shoes, especially if you plan to walk from one historical site to another.
My feet are always killing me when we leave. Even though I have on comfortable shoes, there is so much walking and on uneven surfaces.
the subject of tipping I always find important when traveling somewhere new….as a Canadian I am used to the extra 15-20% so traveling places that dont tip are really strange for me…. the bus info is helpful too…i always bus ticket purchase on the bus itself 😛
Getting used to tipping less is still difficult for me as well. I’m not used to waitstaff being paid a decent wage and not relying on tips.
I love the tip about tipping, especially if you have lived in/or are from the US as this can be a hard one to understand.Comfy shoes are a must due to the cobblestone streets and the sheer amount of walking you are going to do. I would also add a point about clothing as if you visit in the hot summer months you will still need a dress or shorts that cover the knees (or are very close to covering) to be able to gain entry to the Vatican (I almost didn’t make it)
I knew there was something I was forgetting to add! I was just telling my friend to watch what she packed for the Vatican next month. I need to add that into the post – thanks for the reminder!
Fantastic tips – a lot of these caught us by surprise when we were travelign throughout Rome – the most annoying one to me was having to pay to pee. Even though it’s not much that just seems to be something which should be a basic right! I found that fairly consistent throughout Europe though.
And great tip on carrying a bottle of water – I found there were fountains pretty much everywhere we went, and you really will save so much money this way. Especially when most of your days as a tourist are spent walking all day.
Yes, through out Europe they want you to pay to pee. Luckily kids are free, so that helps us.
Great tips. I am glad to know that kids under ten ride the metro for free. We are heading that way with our kids next year.
Have fun! I loved getting to save metro fare for my daughter. Too bad it’s not 11 and under 🙂
These are really fantastic tips to visiting the city and understanding all of the small nuances and tricks of the trade in seeing Rome, bravo!
Yes, it’s good to know all the little tricks when you visit a new city. I find it makes my travels a bit smoother.